Responses of the microbial community and the production of extracellular polymeric substances to sulfamethazine shocks in a novel two-stage biological contact oxidation system.

Introduction: The biological contact oxidation reactor is an effective technology for the treatment of antibiotic wastewater, but there has been little research investigating its performance on the sulfamethazine wastewater treatment. Methods: In this study, a novel two-stage biological contact oxidation reactor was used for the first time to explore the impact of sulfamethazine (SMZ) on the performance, microbial community, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). Results: The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) removal efficiencies kept stable at 86.93% and 83.97% with 0.1-1 mg/L SMZ addition and were inhibited at 3 mg/L SMZ. The presence of SMZ could affect the production and chemical composition of EPS in the biofilm, especially for the pronounced increase in TB-PN yield in response against the threat of SMZ. Metagenomics sequencing demonstrated that SMZ could impact on the microbial community, a high abundance of Candidatus_Promineofilum, unclassified_c__Anaerolineae, and unclassified_c__Betaproteobacteria were positively correlated to SMZ, especially for Candidatus_Promineofilum. Discussion: Candidatus_Promineofilum not only had the ability of EPS secretion, but also was significantly associated with the primary SMZ resistance genes of sul1 and sul2, which developed resistance against SMZ pressure through the mechanism of targeted gene changes, further provided a useful and easy-implement technology for sulfamethazine wastewater treatment.

Flavobacterium lacisediminis sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from lake sediment.

A taxonomic identification using polyphasic approach was performed on strain TH16-21T, which was isolated from the interfacial sediment of Taihu Lake, PR China. Strain TH16-21T was Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and catalase-positive. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequences indicated that strain TH16-21T was classified within the genus of Flavobacterium. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain TH16-21T showed the highest similarity to Flavobacterium cheniae NJ-26T (98.9 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain TH16-21T and F. cheniae NJ-26T were 91.2 and 45.9 %, respectively. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) comprised iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH. The genomic DNA G+C content was 32.2 mol%. Phosphatidylethanolamine, six amino lipids and three phospholipids were the main polar lipids. Based on the phenotypic features and phylogenetic position, a novel species with the name Flavobacterium lacisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TH16-21T (=MCCC 1K04592T=KACC 22896T).

Responses of microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes to co-existence of chloramphenicol and salinity.

In recent years, the risk from environmental pollution caused by chloramphenicol (CAP) has emerged as a serious concern worldwide, especially for the co-selection of antibiotic resistance microorganisms simultaneously exposed to CAP and salts. In this study, the multistage contact oxidation reactor (MCOR) was employed for the first time to treat the CAP wastewater under the co-existence of CAP (10-80 mg/L) and salinity (0-30 g/L NaCl). The CAP removal efficiency reached 91.7% under the co-existence of 30 mg/L CAP and 10 g/L NaCl in the influent, but it fluctuated around 60% with the increase of CAP concentration and salinity. Trichococcus and Lactococcus were the major contributors to the CAP and salinity shock loads. Furthermore, the elevated CAP and salinity selection pressures inhibited the spread of CAP efflux pump genes, including cmlA, tetC, and floR, and significantly affected the composition and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). As the potential hosts of CAP resistance genes, Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, and unclassified_d_Bacteria developed resistance against high osmotic pressure and antibiotic environment using the efflux pump mechanism. The results also revealed that shifting of potential host bacteria significantly contributed to the change in ARGs. Overall, the co-existence of CAP and salinity promoted the enrichment of core genera Trichococcus and Lactococcus; however, they inhibited the proliferation of ARGs. KEY POINTS: • Trichococcus and Lactococcus were the core bacteria related to CAP biodegradation • Co-existence of CAP and salinity inhibited proliferation of cmlA, tetC, and floR • The microorganism resisted the CAP using the efflux pump mechanism.

Flavobacterium taihuense sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from lake sediment.

A novel bacterium, designated NAS39T, was isolated from the interfacial sediment of Taihu Lake in PR China and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the isolate were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive, yellow and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences supported that strain NAS39T formed a cluster within the genus Flavobacterium, and was most closely related to Flavobacterium laiguense LB2P30T (98.4 %), followed by Flavobacterium tiangeerense 0563T (97.4 %). The average nucleotide identity values between strain NAS39T and F. laiguense LB2P30T and F. tiangeerense 0563T were 82.5 and 75.3 %, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain NAS39T and F. laiguense LB2P30T and F. tiangeerense 0563T were 40.9 and 18.6 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 34.1 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The dominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 comprising C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidyl ethanolamine, two amino lipids, three amino phospholipids and two unidentified lipids. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain NAS39T (=MCCC 1K06094T=KACC 22328T) represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium taihuense sp. nov. is proposed.

Rufibacter hautae sp. nov., a red-pigmented bacterium from freshwater lake sediment, and proposal of Rufibacter quisquiliarum as a latter heterotypic synonym of Rufibacter ruber.

A taxonomic identification using a polyphasic approach was performed on strain NBS58-1T, which was isolated from the interfacial sediment of Taihu Lake in China. Strain NBS58-1T was Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming and catalase-positive. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and three housekeeping genes (rpoB, gyrB and dnaK) sequences supported the position that strain NBS58-1T should be classified within the genus Rufibacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NBS58-1T possessed the highest similarity to Rufibacter sediminis H-1T (96.60 %), followed by Rufibacter glacialis MDT1-10-3T (96.17 %). And the ANI value between strain NBS58-1T and R. glacialis MDT1-10-3T was 79.3 %. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids comprised iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3. Phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and four unidentified lipids were the main polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 51.3 mol%. Based on phenotypic features and phylogenetic position, a novel species with the name Rufibacter hautae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NBS58-1T=(KACC 21309T=MCCC 1K04037T). We also proposed Rufibacter quisquiliarum as a latter heterotypic synonym of Rufibacter ruber.

Agrococcus sediminis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from lake sediment.

A novel strain, designated NS18T, was isolated from sediment sampled at Taihu Lake, PR China. Cells of the isolate were spherical, aerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive and non-endospore-forming. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain NS18T clustered in a clade of the genus Agrococcus. Its closest phylogenetic neighbour was Agrococcus lahaulensis DSM 17612T with 98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The complete genome of NS18T was 2 736 037 bp and its genomic DNA G+C content was 72.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain NS18T and A. lahaulensis DSM 17612T based on their whole genomes were 85.1 and 28.7 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The predominant menaquinones were MK11 and MK12. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified lipids. The components of the peptidoglycan were Ala, Gly, Asp, Thr and DAB. The whole-cell sugars contained rhamnose, ribose, xylose and glucose. According to the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain NS18T (=NBRC 113859T=MCCC 1K03759T) represents a novel species, for which the name Agrococcus sediminis sp. nov is proposed.

Gemmobacter caeruleus sp. nov., a novel species originating from lake sediment.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated N8T, was isolated from the interfacial sediment of Taihu Lake in PR China. The strain formed white to blue colonies on R2A agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain N8T represented a member of the genus Gemmobacter and was most closely related to Gemmobacter aquaticus A1-9T (97.97 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNAhybridization values between strain N8T and G. aquaticus A1-9T based on their whole genomes were 78.8 and 21.7 %, respectively. Q-10 was the main predominant ubiquinone. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C18 : 0 and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66.1 mol%. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified glycolipids and two unidentified lipids. Based on its physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain N8T represents a novel species of the genus Gemmobacter, for which the name Gemmobacter caeruleus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N8T=(KACC 21307T=MCCC 1K04036T).

Dyadobacter flavalbus sp. nov., isolated from lake sediment.

A novel bacterial strain, designated NS28T, was isolated from interfacial sediment sampled at Taihu Lake, PR China. Cells were rod-shaped, Gram-negative, aerobic and non-motile on Reasoner's 2A medium. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NS28T was most closely related to species from the genus Dyadobacter, with 98.4 and 96.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to its closest phylogenetic neighbours Dyadobacter sediminis CGMCC 1.12895T and Dyadobacter luticola CCTCC AB 2017091T, respectively. MK-7 was the only cellular menaquinone. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω5c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one phospholipid, one aminolipid, one lipid and two unidentified lipids. Genomic analysis of strain NS28T indicated that the total genome size was 6 477 094 bp with a G+C content of 44.8 mol%, 5380 protein-coding genes, 79 contigs and an N50 length of 299584 bp. On the basis of the genomic DNA sequence, the average nucleotide identity values were 90.5 and 74.1 % with D. sediminis CGMCC 1.12895T and D. luticola CCTCC AB 2017091T, respectively. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization results of strain NS28T with D. sediminis CGMCC 1.12895T and D. luticola CCTCC AB 2017091T were 40.9 and 18.6 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genome sequence data presented here, it is proposed that strain NS28T represents a novel species of the genus Dyadobacter for which the name Dyadobacter flavalbus is proposed . The type strain is NS28T (=NBRC 113854T=MCCC 1K03764T).

Description of Ornithinibacillus gellani sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from lake sediment, and emended description of the genus Ornithinibacillus.

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain LJ137T, was isolated from the sediment of Taihu Lake in China. A polyphasic approach was used to investigate its taxonomic position. Strain LJ137T grew optimally at pH 7.5, at 37 °C and with 2.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain LJ137T was most closely related to the genera Ornithinibacillus and Oceanobacillus. The closest phylogenetic neighbours were Ornithinibacillus halophilus KCTC 13822T, Ornithinibacillus salinisoli LCB256T and Oceanobacillus limi KCTC 13823T, with 95.2, 96.5 and 95.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. The peptidoglycan amino acid type was A4α (l-Lys-d-Asp). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The polar lipids of strain LJ137T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids, two aminophospholipids and one unidentified lipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.4 mol%. The dominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genome sequence characteristics of this strain, a novel species, Ornithinibacillus gellani sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is LJ137T (=CGMCC 1.13678T=NBRC 113552T). An emended description of the genus Ornithinibacillus is presented.

Brevundimonas lutea sp. nov., isolated from lake sediment.

A novel Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated NS26T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Taihu Lake in China. Colonies were orange, circular, smooth and neat-edged on Reasoner's 2A agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NS26T belonged to the genus Brevundimonas and had the closest relationship with Brevundimonas halotolerans DSM 24448T (96.9 %). It grew at 20-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 5.5-10.5 (pH 7.0) and without NaCl. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c 11-methyl. The polar lipid profile comprised 1,2-diacyl-3-O-(6-phosphatidyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl) glycerol, 1,2-di-O-acyl-3-O-α-d-glycopyranuronosyl glycerol, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, 1,2-di-O-acyl-3-O-[d-glycopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-d-glucopyranuronosyl] glycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 68.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity value between strain NS26T and B.halotolerans DSM 24448T was 75.6 %. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic study, strain NS26T is suggested to be a novel species, for which the name Brevundimonas lutea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS26T (=CGMCC 1.13680T=NBRC 113554T).

Altererythrobacter amylolyticus sp. nov., isolated from lake sediment.

An aerobic, motile, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain NS1T, was isolated from interfacial sediment from Taihu Lake, China. The strain formed yellow colonies on R2A medium. Cells were ovoid to rod-shaped and non-spore-forming. Growth occurred at 15-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 5.0-10.5 (optimum, 6.5-7.5) and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NS1T represented a member of the genus Altererythrobacter and had the highest sequence similarity to Altererythrobacter troitsensis CCTCC AB 2015180T (97.1 %). The average nucleotide identity value between strain NS1T and the closest related strain based on their genomes was 78.6 %. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified glycolipid and six unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 66.6 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain NS1T represents a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter, for which the name Altererythrobacter amylolyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS1T (=CGMCC 1.13679T=NBRC 113553T).

Rufibacter sediminis sp. nov., isolated from freshwater lake sediment.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated H-1T, was isolated from the interfacial sediment of Taihu Lake in China and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism was most closely related to Rufibacter immobilis MCC P1T and Rufibacter tibetensis 1351T, with sequence similarities of 98.0 and 97.6 %, respectively. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain H-1T and R. immobilis MCC P1T and R. tibetensis 1351T was 48.8 and 36.6 %, respectively. The major (>5 %) cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 1ω5c, iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B) and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). Genomic DNA G+C content was 49.0 mol%. Based on its physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the strain represents a novel species of the genus Rufibacter, for which the name Rufibacter sediminis sp. nov. (type strain H-1T=CGMCC 1.16289T=NBRC 113030T) is proposed.

A novel genus of the class Actinobacteria, Longivirga aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from lake sediment.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated X5T, was isolated from the sediment of Taihu Lake in China and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The strain formed orange-red colonies comprising aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped cells on R2A agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism was closely related to the genus Sporichthya and consistently formed a distinct clade along with the members of this genus. The closest phylogenetic neighbour was Sporichthya polymorpha NBRC 12702T with 93.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0 (18.7 %), C18 : 1ω9c (18.6 %) and C17 : 1ω8c (14.0 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 74.4 mol%. The organism contained menaquinone MK-8(H2), MK-9(H4) and an unidentified menaquinone. Polar lipids were composed of phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified lipid, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified aminolipids. The whole-cell sugars contained ribose, xylose, mannose, glucose and galactose. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Based on the physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, the organism is proposed to represent a novel genus and species, for which the name Longivirga aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is X5T (=CGMCC 4.7317T=NBRC 112237T).

Nocardioides taihuensis sp. nov., isolated from fresh water lake sediment.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated X17T, was isolated from the sediment of Taihu Lake in China and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed milky-white colonies comprising aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped cells. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism belonged to the genus Nocardioides and consistently formed a distinct cluster with Nocardioides agariphilus JCM 16020T and Nocardioides islandensis MSL 26T, sharing 95.5 and 94.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.9 mol%. Chemotaxonomically, the isolate contained ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-8 (H4) as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the polar lipids found in the cell wall. The major fatty acids were 18 : 1 ω9c (38.6 %), 16 : 0 iso (20.3 %), 15 : 0 iso (6.8 %) and 18 : 0 (5.8 %). Based on its physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the strain represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides taihuensis sp. nov. (type strain X17T=CGMCC 4.7318T=NBRC 112321T) is proposed.

Geodermatophilus taihuensis sp. nov., isolated from the interfacial sediment of a eutrophic lake.

A novel actinobacterial strain, 3-wff-81(T), was isolated from interfacial sediment of the eutrophic Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province (China) and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The strain formed pale orange-pigmented colonies comprising rod-shaped cells on R2A agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 3-wff-81(T) belonged to the genus Geodermatophilus, with Geodermatophilus soli PB34(T) (99.1 % similarity) and Geodermatophilus terrae PB261(T) (98.3 % similarity) as closest relatives. The major fatty acids were 16 : 0 iso, 15 : 0 iso, 17 : 1ω8c and 14 : 0 iso. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9. Polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.2 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness values with G. soli PB34(T) and G. terrae PB261(T) were 42.8 % and 39.6 %, respectively. Based on the physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, it is proposed that strain 3-wff-81(T) represents a novel species named Geodermatophilus taihuensis sp. nov. with 3-wff-81(T) ( = CGMCC 1.12303(T) = NBRC 109416(T)) as the type strain.

Sediminicoccus rosea gen. nov. sp. nov., isolated from the sediment of a eutrophic lake.

A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of a novel strain R-30(T) isolated from the surficial layer of sediment from Taihu Lake of China. The strain formed pink colored colonies comprising coccodial cells on R2A agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain R-30(T) clustered with the strains of genus Roseococcus and strain Rubritepida flocculans, with Roseococcus suduntuyensis SHET(T) as the closest relative, sharing 95.6% similarity. The major fatty acids (＞5%) were 18：1ω7c (66.7%), 16： 1ω7c/16：1ω6c (10.2%) and 16：0 (8.0%). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidyl glycerol (DPG), phosphatidyl methylethanolamine (PME), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidyl choline (PC). The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.9 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical characteristics, we conclude that strain R-30(T) represents a novel genus and species of the family Acetobacteraceae, for which we propose the name Sediminicoccus rosea gen nov. sp. nov. with R-30(T) (= CGMCC 1.12302(T) = NBRC 109675(T)) as the type species and type strain.

Flavihumibacter petaseus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from soil of a subtropical rainforest.

A yellow-coloured bacterium, T41(T), was isolated from a soil sample of a subtropical rainforest in Nepal. Cells were Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short rods. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a cluster with Terrimonas ferruginea, Terrimonas lutea, Niabella soli, Flavisolibacter ginsengiterrae, Flavisolibacter ginsengisoli, Niastella yeongjuensis and Niastella koreensis in the phylum Bacteroidetes. The strain showed the highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Terrimonas lutea (93.2 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the predominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-15 : 0 (33.8 %), iso-15 : 1 G (13.3 %) and iso-17 : 0 3-OH (12.9 %). The DNA G+C content was 48.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data and genomic distinctiveness, strain T41(T) represents a novel species in a new genus in the phylum Bacteroidetes, for which the name Flavihumibacter petaseus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Flavihumibacter petaseus is strain T41(T) (=CGMCC 1.7723(T) =NBRC 106054(T)).

Salsuginibacillus halophilus sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from a soda lake.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming, halophilic, alkalitolerant bacterium, designated halo-1(T), was isolated from sediment of Xiarinaoer soda lake, located in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. Strain halo-1(T) grew in the presence of 9-30 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 19 %) and at pH 5-10 (optimum pH 9). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The predominant cellular fatty acids of the isolate were anteiso-C(15 : 0) (58.35 %), anteiso-C(17 : 0) (12.89 %) and C(16 : 0) (6.52 %). The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid and a phospholipid of unknown structure. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 46.4 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain halo-1(T) showed the highest similarity (93.9 %) to Salsuginibacillus kocurii CH9d(T). Strain halo-1(T) could be clearly differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relative on the basis of several phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain halo-1(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Salsuginibacillus halophilus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain halo-1(T) (=CGMCC 1.7653(T) =NBRC 104934(T)).

Flavobacterium cauense sp. nov., isolated from sediment of a eutrophic lake.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain R2A-7(T), was isolated from sediment of the eutrophic Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China. The isolate was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain R2A-7(T) within the genus Flavobacterium in the family Flavobacteriaceae. The highest sequence similarity was found with Flavobacterium saliperosum (98.3 %), followed by other Flavobacterium species with similarities <96.0 %. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were 15 : 0 iso, 17 : 1 iso omega9c, 17 : 0 iso 3-OH, 15 : 1 iso G and 15 : 0 iso 3-OH. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain R2A-7(T) was 37.7 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value with F. saliperosum CGMCC 1.3801(T) was 40.6 %. Molecular and phenotypic data suggest that strain R2A-7(T) represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium cauense is proposed. The type strain is R2A-7(T) (=CGMCC 1.7270(T)=NBRC 104929(T)).

Paracoccus chinensis sp. nov., isolated from sediment of a reservoir.

A Gram-negative, short ovoid- to coccus-shaped, aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming bacterium (designated strain KS-11(T)) was isolated from sediment of the eutrophic Guanting reservoir in Beijing, China. Colonies grown on R2A agar plates were circular, convex and colourless to orange. The strain grew in the presence of up to 1 % NaCl (optimum, 0 % NaCl). Growth occurred at 25-40 degrees C (optimum, 28-37 degrees C) and at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5-9.0). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain KS-11(T) was shown to belong to the class Alphaproteobacteria, being closely related to Paracoccus marinus (96.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), followed by Paracoccus koreensis (96.8 %), Paracoccus solventivorans (96.8 %), Paracoccus alkenifer (96.2 %) and Paracoccus kocurii (95.8 %). The major fatty acids of strain KS-11(T) were summed feature 7 (C(18 : 1)omega7c/omega9t/omega12t) (83.8 %) and C(18 : 0) (6.5 %) and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.0 mol%. Based on comparative analysis of physiological and chemotaxonomic data, it is proposed that strain KS-11(T) represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, named Paracoccus chinensis sp. nov. The type strain is KS-11(T) (=CGMCC 1.7655(T)=NBRC 104937(T)).